[Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan)]NOTIFICATIONNew Delhi, the 3rd March, 2017

S.O. 711(E).—Whereas, the use of Aadhaar as identity document for delivery of services or benefits or subsidies simplifies the Government delivery processes, brings in transparency and efficiency and enables beneficiaries to get their entitlements directly in a convenient and seamless manner and Aadhaar obviates the need for producing multiple documents to prove one’s identity;

And whereas, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in the Government of India (hereinafter referred as the Department) is administering the Scheme of Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase and, or, Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP) (hereinafter referred to as the Scheme) as a Central Sector Scheme;

And whereas, the main objective of the Scheme is to assist the needy disabled persons in procuring durable, sophisticated and scientifically manufactured, modern, standard aids and appliances to promote physical, social, psychological rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities by reducing the effects of disabilities and at the same time to enhance their economic potential;

And whereas, the assistive devices are given to Divyangjan with an aim to improve their independent functioning and to limit the extent of disability and occurrence of secondary disability;

And whereas, the Scheme is implemented through National Institutes, Composite Regional Centres, Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), District Disability Rehabilitation Centres, State Handicapped Development Corporations, other local bodies and Non-Governmental Organizations (hereinafter referred to as the implementing agencies) and the benefits under the Scheme include procurement and distribution of aids, assistive devices (appliances) and providing travelling allowances, boarding and lodging expenses to the Persons with Disabilities and attendants or escorts as per norms (hereinafter referred to as benefits), that involve non-recurring expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India;

Now, therefore, in pursuance of the provisions of section 7 of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 (18 of 2016) (hereinafter referred to as the said Act), the Central Government hereby notifies the following, namely:—

1.( 1) An individual eligible for availing benefits under the Scheme are hereby required to furnish proof of
Aadhaar or undergo Aadhaar authentication.

(2) An individual desirous of availing benefits under the Scheme, who does not possess the Aadhaar number or, not yet enrolled for Aadhaar, but desirous of availing benefits under the Scheme is hereby required to make application for Aadhaar enrolment by 30th June, 2017, in case he or she is entitled to obtain Aadhaar as per section 3 of Aadhaar Act and such individuals may visit any Aadhaar enrolment centre (list available at www.uidai.gov.in) to get enrolled for Aadhaar.

(3) As per regulation 12 of the Aadhaar (Enrolment and Update) Regulations, 2016 the Department through its implementing agencies which requires an Individual to furnish Aadhaar is required to offer Aadhaarenrolment facilities for the beneficiaries who are not yet enrolled for Aadhaar and in case of there is no Aadhaar enrolment centre located in the vicinity such as in the Block or Taluka or Tehsil, the Department through its implementing agency is required to provide Aadhaar enrolment facilities at convenient locations in coordination with the existing Registrars of UIDAI or by Department itself by becoming UIDAI Registrar:

Provided that till the time Aadhaar is assigned to the individuals, benefits under the Scheme shall be given to such individuals subject to the production of the following documents, namely:-

(a) (i) if she or he has enrolled, her or his Aadhaar Enrolment ID slip; or

(ii) a copy of her or his request made for Aadhaar enrolment, as specified in sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph 2; and

(b) Any one of the following documents:

(i) Voter Identity Card; or

(ii) Permanent Account Number (PAN) Card; or

(iii) Passport; or

(iv) Property Card; or

(v) Freedom Fighter Identity Card; or

(vi) Ration Card; or

(vii) Employee Government ID Card; or

(viii) Arms license; or

(ix) Pensioner’s Card; or

(x) Bank or Post office Passbook with Photo; or

(xi) Photo identity card issued by competent authority for scheduled castes or tribes and other backward castes; or

(xvi) Certificate of identity having photo of such member issued by a Gazetted Officer or a Tehsildar on an official letter head; or

(xvii) Any other document specified by the Central or State Government:

Provided further that the above documents shall be checked by an officer specifically designated by the Department for that purpose.

2. In order to provide convenient and hassle free benefits under the Scheme to the beneficiaries, the Department in charge of implementing the Scheme shall make all required arrangements including the following, namely:—

(a) Wide publicity through media and individual notices through the implementing agencies to be given to applicants or beneficiaries to make them aware of the requirement of Aadhaar to receive benefits under the Scheme and they may be advised to get themselves enrolled at the nearest enrolment centre available in their areas by 30th June, 2017, in case they are not yet enrolled. The list of locally available enrolment centres shall be made available to them.

(b) In case, the beneficiaries are not able to enroll due to non-availability of enrollment centres in the near vicinity such as in the Block or Taluka or Tehsil, the Department is required to create Aadhaar enrollment facilities at convenient locations, in coordination with existing Registrars of UIDAI or by Department itself by becoming UIDAI Registrar themselves and beneficiaries under the Scheme may register their requests for Aadhaar enrolment by giving their names, address, mobile number and other details as specified in the first proviso to sub-paragraph (3) of paragraph 1, with the Department or through the web portal provided for the purpose.

3. This Notification shall come into effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette in all the States and Union Territories except the States of Assam, Meghalaya and Jammu and Kashmir.